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Cyclists' deaths put focus on safety, education

A memorial for Zachary Paul Tyler rests along the 7000 block of Wrightsville Ave Friday July 5, 2013. Tyler was struck and killed June 13, 2013 while riding his bike. Wilmington continues to push greenways and bike paths and market itself as a bike-friendly city.

Published: Sunday, July 7, 2013 at 5:34 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, July 7, 2013 at 5:34 p.m.

On June 13, Zachary Paul Tyler was killed by a hit-and-run driver in a bike lane in the 7000 block of Wrightsville Avenue.

Facts

Recent cycling deaths in New Hanover County

June 13, 2013 -- Zachary Paul Tyler was killed by a hit-and-run driver on Wrightsville AvenueJune 12, 2013 -- Riders with Cape Fear Cyclists have an accident during a weekly ride at Greenfield Lake Park. Terry Benjey dies less than a week later.Oct. 16, 2011 -- A rider was killed in a crash on Wrightsville Avenue, near Independence.April 3, 2011 -- Ronald and Trey Doolittle were killed by a drunk driver. Thomas Howard Grooms Jr. was convicted of second-degree murder.Oct. 16, 2008 -- Gary Sargent was killed on Eastwood RoadSept. 9, 2008 -- Phillip Michael Tidmarsh was killed by a driver who was high on heroin.Jan. 25, 2007 -- A cyclist was killed on Oleander Drive, near Floral Parkway.

Tyler's death – at least the seventh involving a cyclist and a vehicle in New Hanover County since 2007 – was followed by the death of Terry Benjey, one of the founding members of Cape Fear Cyclists, on June 17 as a result of injuries he'd suffered during a ride around Greenfield Lake the week before.

Area cyclists take a pause any time there is a death, not only to mourn the victim, but also to consider how they can keep themselves safe the next time they ride.

"We're almost like the people who analyze airplane crashes, putting all the pieces together to see exactly how it happened," said Richard Knight, vice president of Cape Fear Cyclists. "We do the same thing. We analyze what happened and what could be done differently. We're constantly in our board meetings analyzing safety.... We don't want anybody to get hurt doing this."

The most basic element of safety is choosing where to ride, Knight says, as Cape Fear Cyclists and other dedicated riders will try to avoid congested areas.

If a rider is trying to get from point to point around town, though, they need to be aware of motorists and their own limitations.

"The main risks for cyclists cycling around town would be traffic, because you can have all the safety equipment you want – the headlights, the flashers, the helmets – but there's a car, and a bicycle is no match for a car," Knight said. "And the other main risk for cyclists just going from a to b is their knowledge. It's up to them to maintain safety."

Cyclists also look out for each other, letting newcomers know if they're not being safe. When Knight started riding seriously in 2010, for instance, someone told him that he wasn't wearing his helmet tight enough.

Later, Knight was riding and fell, scraping up his knees and ankles and tweaking his neck, but not injuring his face.

"I checked the scratches on the helmet and did a visualization of what would have happened had the chin strap been loose, and it would have scraped my face up pretty severely," Knight said.

Mike Kozlosky, executive director of the Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization, said the region has made strides in recent years to make conditions safer for bikers.

Recent projects include ongoing work on the Gary Shell Cross City Trail, a bike lane as part of the widening of Kerr Avenue, and intersection improvements in locations such as the intersection of Shipyard and Independence boulevards. Many of those projects involve local entities piggy-backing on larger projects.

"What we need to look at is how do we get the biggest bang for our buck, so looking at ways to partner, if say the NC DOT has a widening project like Kerr Avenue ... are there ways to build bike lanes?" Koslozky said.

Still, awareness – on the part of both riders and motorists – is vital to safety.

"We talk about the improvements, but education is a key component, trying to educate not only the bikers and pedestrians but the motorists of the rules of the road is important," Kozlosky said.

<p>On June 13, Zachary Paul Tyler was killed by a hit-and-run driver in a bike lane in the 7000 block of Wrightsville Avenue.</p><p>Tyler's death – at least the seventh involving a cyclist and a vehicle in New Hanover County since 2007 – was followed by the death of Terry Benjey, one of the founding members of Cape Fear Cyclists, on June 17 as a result of injuries he'd suffered during a ride around <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic64"><b>Greenfield Lake</b></a> the week before.</p><p>Area cyclists take a pause any time there is a death, not only to mourn the victim, but also to consider how they can keep themselves safe the next time they ride.</p><p>"We're almost like the people who analyze airplane crashes, putting all the pieces together to see exactly how it happened," said Richard Knight, vice president of Cape Fear Cyclists. "We do the same thing. We analyze what happened and what could be done differently. We're constantly in our board meetings analyzing safety.... We don't want anybody to get hurt doing this."</p><p>The most basic element of safety is choosing where to ride, Knight says, as Cape Fear Cyclists and other dedicated riders will try to avoid congested areas. </p><p>If a rider is trying to get from point to point around town, though, they need to be aware of motorists and their own limitations.</p><p>"The main risks for cyclists cycling around town would be traffic, because you can have all the safety equipment you want – the headlights, the flashers, the helmets – but there's a car, and a bicycle is no match for a car," Knight said. "And the other main risk for cyclists just going from a to b is their knowledge. It's up to them to maintain safety."</p><p>Cyclists also look out for each other, letting newcomers know if they're not being safe. When Knight started riding seriously in 2010, for instance, someone told him that he wasn't wearing his helmet tight enough.</p><p>Later, Knight was riding and fell, scraping up his knees and ankles and tweaking his neck, but not injuring his face.</p><p>"I checked the scratches on the helmet and did a visualization of what would have happened had the chin strap been loose, and it would have scraped my face up pretty severely," Knight said.</p><p>Mike Kozlosky, executive director of the Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization, said the region has made strides in recent years to make conditions safer for bikers.</p><p>Recent projects include ongoing work on the Gary Shell Cross City Trail, a bike lane as part of the widening of Kerr Avenue, and intersection improvements in locations such as the intersection of Shipyard and Independence boulevards. Many of those projects involve local entities piggy-backing on larger projects.</p><p>"What we need to look at is how do we get the biggest bang for our buck, so looking at ways to partner, if say the NC DOT has a widening project like Kerr Avenue ... are there ways to build bike lanes?" Koslozky said.</p><p>Still, awareness – on the part of both riders and motorists – is vital to safety.</p><p>"We talk about the improvements, but education is a key component, trying to educate not only the bikers and pedestrians but the motorists of the rules of the road is important," Kozlosky said.</p><p>Adam Wagner: 343-2096</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @adamwagner1990</p>